Malachi – Chapter 3

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. Malachi 3:10 – The state of worship towards God was not the best in Israel at this time. The people had turned to things God said not to turn to. The priests who were supposed to be guiding the people towards God were not behaving as good shepherds, and in fact were diving deep into their own sinfulness. In chapter 3 we see another way the people and priests were sinning, in withholding from the Lord some of their tithes. The tithe was a percentage of what God had given them that was supposed to be given back to Him out of gratitude, and while some was given to the Lord, not all the amount of the tithe was given. Here the Lord then proposes something we don’t see really anywhere else in scripture, God allowed His people to put Him to the test with this. If they believed they would suffer lack if they gave to God their whole tithe, God said they could test Him in this. If they did their part, God told them He would take care of them and they could test Him on that. In our story we too are being called to give God many things. From giving to the church to support it’s ministries to giving our time in daily worship to Him, God is inviting us to give to Him in such ways. Yet if we ever begin to believe that when we give to God the end result will be our lack, God is allowing us to test Him on that. When we faithfully give to God what He calls us to give him, we can be certain that He will always provide for our lack with overflow. You will never outgive the Lord. Know then if you are in a season of lack, don’t make the foolish decision and cut giving to the Lord to help cover things. Give more to the Lord and find the blessing attached to such a choice. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3321

Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him. Malachi 3:18 – It can be frustrating to follow God with your whole heart and see someone who isn’t at all following God living an easier life than you. Know Jesus never spoke about the easiness of living for Him; actually He spoke about the opposite. Know though while in this world it may seem like your life of following God isn’t moving you forward or changing things at times, God really does see your faithfulness. As this passage shows when that day comes, let’s make sure that God knows and sees us as one who is righteous and serves Him. Don’t let lack of faith of others or the apathy of many Christians around you hinder you from living for God in the best way you can. God sees you and that’s all that matters. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 579

Your words have been hard against me, says the Lord. But you say, “How have we spoken against you?” You have said, “It is vain to serve God. What is the profit of our keeping his charge or of walking as in mourning before the Lord of hosts?” Malachi 3:13-14 – The people God was speaking to had a dangerous belief settling into their lives. That’s it’s pointless to serve the Lord. What value was it for them to serve the Lord, to offer like God wanted them to offer, and for them to change how God wanted them to change? Maybe that’s a thought you have had as well. We know we should, but what really is the point? What’s in it for us is we serve and offer and change like God is calling us to in scripture? What’s in it for us is the same answer as to what was in it for them if they did all this…life in communion with God. While it’s Jesus who opened the door to us having a life with God, our obedience to what God says opens the door to intimacy with God. We serve, we offer, and we change our ways so we can draw closer to the One who has all joy, peace, and love. Yes, following God like this is not easy, but it’s also not pointless. Everything you need in life comes from God who desires to pour out such things on those who pursue Him. In God and within a deeper walk with God is all you will ever need. So serve, offer, and change your ways knowing it’s to draw you closer to the One who is everything you need. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2126